Topic: Whaddyacallit #249 - Concept Centaur GT Mk1

[Ray B.]

For a long time I have been wanting to post a monstrosity, a truly ugly car like some puzzlers seem to find by the hundreds. This one could be bested, but still it's a sight to behold.
Ever seen this ?

If you did, please respond below and let us know the make and model of the car posted here.
 
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Also, please be sure to check out our other puzzles, and, please post a puzzle of your own if you'd like - the more, the merrier.

Thanks!

[Oswald]

This is either Dennis Adam's Probe 15, or the Concept Centaur.
I actually don't know the differences between the two.

[Ray B.]

Sure, but I need you to make up your mind, do a little research and give a complete identification.

[Ray B.]

Sure, but I need you to make up your mind, do a little research and give a complete identification.

Oswald, I didn't warn you and i do know: your identification is almost right, so I give you another 48 hours to complete it. Then anyone will be allowed to rob you of your point.

[shiftfocus]

Doctor, my eyes...

Concept Centaur Mk1

[Oswald]

Whoops, I'd forgotten about this one.
But, yes, it is the Concept Centaur.

[Ray B.]

Shiftfocus, you answered first, but you weren't supposed to. So the point goes to Oswald. Whether he had found the right answer by himself, whether he just followed yours doesn't matter. Those are the rules.

The Centaur was built by Concept Cars Ltd. in Northampton from 1973 on. Sold: 1974-1977. The design was heavily based on a styling exercise of the Adams brothers: the Probe. In fact, they passed their project on to Peter Timpson of Concept Cars, who marketed their idea made more practical.

In 1970, Timpson had acquired the second Probe 15 bodyshell and modified it considerably. He widened it and height went up to 37". The major change was a pair of perspex windows which doubled up as doors. Imp basis remained, and body was a tough GRP-and-plywood monocoque with box section and steel tube reinforcement. A high quality construction.

Some 52 cars were sold, at the most. Maybe the production number of 26 is Centaur only, and perhaps the number of 52 includes the Pulsar ?

The Centaur Mk2 of 1978, a 2+2 version, was developed, but the project passed to Mirage as the Pulsar. Only one larger Centaur was built: the Timera. It had a midmounted Leyland Maxi 2.2 engine, and a complex multi-tubular chassis (designed by Frank Costin) with de-dion rear suspension lay-out. The glass fibre bodywork (design and construction: Peter Timpson) made its family relation to the Centaur very evident.

And now, Oswald, you become an Expert and cannot post in Rookie puzzles anymore.
 

[Oswald]

Hoorah!!
Time to dig up some nice pics and post them now.

[shiftfocus]

Shiftfocus, you answered first, but you weren't supposed to. So the point goes to Oswald.

Whoops...newbie error...I misread the timestamp.  Serves me right for trying to scam the easy point.  Apologies and congratulations to you Oswald!